Bicycle.



Patented Aug. 6,190i.

UNITED STATES PATENT OF ICE.

EMIL KOCH, OF GROSS-LIOHTERFELDE, GERMANY.

BICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 680,048, dated August 6, 190] Application filed December 8, 1900. Serial No. 39,157. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EMIL KOCH, engineer, a subject of the German Emperor, residing at 56 Ohaussestrasse, Gross-Lichterfelde, near Berlin, German Empire, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Bicycles, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention belongs to that kind of safety-bicycles which have a hinged and spring connection between the front portion of the framing carrying the steeringwheel and the hinder framing carrying the saddle to form a jointed spring-frame.

This invention concerns an improvement in the aforesaid safety-bicycles, inasmuch as the draw or bufier spring is arranged at that point of the framing which is most exposed to breaking-where the front fork is connected with the framing. Owing to this location of the draw or buffer spring the rigid part of the framing extends to the front fork and if the spring is sufficiently strong possesses the same strength as an undivided framing, but in comparison with this has the advantage that it enables the wheels to rise and fall without communicating its vibrations to the framing, steering-bar, saddle, and therefore to the hand of the driver and to his body.

This invention as it is carried out is shown by the drawings herewith, of Which Figure l is a side elevation of as much of a safety-bicycle as is necessary to show the application .of the invention thereto. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the hinged or pivoted joint, hereinafter de scribed, between the rigid framing and the front fork. Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the two plates between which the spring is fastened.

Referring to Fig. 1, the framing of the bicycle consists of the proper frame or its rigid part a b c d e, scarcely difiering from the form which is usually made and used, and of the member f,=fastened to the head g and connected with the upper bar a of the frame by means of a link h. This construction enables the rigid and the proper frame a b c d e to extendto the head, and with respect to the body and limbs of the driver also hits the very proportion between the rigid frame a b c d e and the memberf with the head 9, inasmuch as the strong rigid part supports only the body and feet andthe light front part with the steering bar only supports the hands. Between the upper front part of the framing and the head g the draw or buffer springj is attached in any manner.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the springj consists of three springs fastened between two plates i i, which are connected in any suitable manner with the memberf and with the bar 6 of the frame, respectively.

In order to limit the extension of the springs and to prevent them from deformation between the upper part of the bar I) and the head g', a jointed connection consisting of the two members'lc Z is provided. This connection may be replaced by any convenient device.

The spring j serves for a double purpose. Like the known buffer-springs applied between the parts of the framing, it catches the thrusts, and, moreover-,it protects the framing from breaking at the most dangerous spot.

What I claim as new is In a bicycle, a yielding connection for the front wheel combining the following elements, to wit: a member rigid with the steering-head and having articulate connection with the main frame for permitting movement between the frame and the front Wheel, springs for the said articulation connected between said frame and said steering-head, and a connection between the main frame and steeringhead independent of said springs for guiding and limiting the extent of said movement, substantially as set forth.

Signed this 27th day of November, 1900, at Berlin, Germany.

EMIL KOCH.

Witnesses HENRY HASPER, WOLDEMAR HAUPT. 

